Wicket



Jan. 14, `1936. H, SKLAR v 2,028,108

WICKET Filed Aug. 4, 1932 w8 "98 Y 2|'NVENTR 1 @5i/,1,511 HARRY SKL/4R i6( I BY JQ@ ATroRN EY 50 is associated.

Patented Jan. 14, 1936 I i Y Y UNITED Y STATES PATENT OFFICE Y 2,028,108 Y i l WICKET Y Harry Sklar, New York, N. Y. Application August 4, 1932, serial No. 627,515

16 Claims. (Cl. 20-39) This invention relates to wickets. cooperates with a slot*` in the closure plate in The invention is particularly directed to a which a pin shank is engaged.` The pin shank Wicket for association with a door of a dwelling, is attached directlyV to the latch and carries at b-y means of which one within the dwelling may, its outer end `a button `by which the latch mayA without opening that door, determine who mayV be manipulated when releasing its engagement 5 have presented himself for admission to the with the abutment and for swivelling the plate .dwelling and, if he so desires, may converse with to reveal the opening. l

that ,person without necessarily -admitting him. By the arrangement of the'two recesses, the In structure of this character, it is an object of closure is made of suicient thickness for desired the invention to arrange at the opening through strength but, at the same time, the character 10 the door, a closure which may be moved to uncarrying tablets are made capable of easy associcover the entire opening, but itself having formed ation and the latching mechanism assembled by therethrough an opening or a peep-hole of sufa single, simple operation. All of this is effected ciently small extent that the party within the Without the sacrifice of neatness of construction dwelling will be enabled to observe a person outand, in fact, with a` material reduction of the 15 side the door, without endangering himse1f,'or total overall dirnenSionS of thelinit` BY reason being discovered in his observation. of the small space occupied by the latch, it is It is an object of the invention to provide a possible-to dispose it on that portion of the Clowicket of the type indicated, in which the closure Sure which assumes theloWermoSt Position When for the main door opening, when not sustained in the closure has moved to latched position. 20 open position by the hand of one immediately at Other objects of this invention will hereinafter the opening and within the dwelling, Will gravibe set forth, or will be apparent from the detate automatically to closed position, and im- Scription and the drawing, in Which iS illustrated mediatcly thereupon latch positively in that posian embodiment of apparatus carrying out the tion. When so latched, no pressure against the invention. 25 closure from the outside will suifice to disturb the The inVention, hOWeVeIy iS not intended t0 be latch, nor will shocks have any such eifect. reStriCted to any Daltoulal' `ConStIliotion o1 a1- For that purpose, the latch is comprised in a rangement of partey or to any particular applicaslidable finger, retained Within a recess in the tion of such construction, o1 to any Speeiie manclosure, or otherwise disposed for free sliding nel' of llSe, or to any of the Various details thereof, 30 movement. When the closure moves to its lowerherein Shown and described, aS the SaIne may be most position, this latch fails into engagement modified in various partiell-lars` or be applied in with an abutment, preventing return of the clomany Varied relations Without departing from the sure until a force is applied to the latch by means Spirit and ,Scope of the Claimed inVention, the

of a suitably disposed button. Just before the practical embodiments herein illustrated and de- 35 latch seats in engagement with the abutment, scribed merely Showing one of the various forms and continuously Iduring such engagement, the and modifications in Whieh the invention might closure itself is engaged vwithin a slot in the abutbe embodied. o ment to prevent opening movement of the closure On the drawing, in Which the Same reference other than in the p1ane of the closure. characters refer to the same parts throughout, 40

A pair of recesses are formed in the closure, and in which is-disclosed a `preferred embodione at each face thereof. One of the recesses ment;

opens to be apparent through the opening in the Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional viewA through a door;` characters arranged on the outer face of door, illustrating the arrangement thereon of a the closure will be apparent through that openwicket embodying the inVention; 45 ing. Within that recess may be seated and re- Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the wicket,

tained metallic tablets carrying embossed charthe closure being shown partially open to ilacters indicating the desired information as to lustrate certain details of the closure construc- 'the apartment or the like with which the door tion and of the frame, the latching mechanism i for the closure being shown` in dotted lines in 50 The other recess is shouldered to support a the position it assumes when the closure is closure plate, forming a pocket in which is removed to full opening covering position; ceived a latch. A rivet pin, which retains the Fig. 3 isa detail elevational vView of one eleclosure plate seated upon the shoulder, also acts ment of the wicket;

as a guide and stop for the latch, This guide Fig. 4 is a vertical Vsectional View, on the line 55 CII 4-4 of Fig. 2, illustrating the construction of the inner portions of the wicket, and, in detail, of the latching mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view, illustrating the construction ofthe abutment and cam member with which the latch and the closure engage;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view, on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, illustrating the construction of the pivot for the closure plate; and

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view in the position of line 1-1 of Fig. 2, illustrating the construction of the assembly of the screws and related elements retaining the wicket assembled.

In the specific embodiment of the invention shown on the drawing, a wicket I0 is shown arranged in association with a door I2 through which an opening I4 has been provided for inspection of persons presenting themselves at the outside face, and through which conversation with such persons may be had.

If desired, the wicket may include an ornamental frame I 6 for the outer end of the opening. An extending escutcheon I8 may be formed with the frame, being provided with a recessed area 28 fthrough which an opening 22 is cut. Name cards, retained between the escutcheon and the door and retained within the recess, are thus made clearly decipherable to one outside the Y door.

y face, and abutting against the door with its inner face. The frame also includes an annular ring 26 positioned within the opening in which it ts substantially snugly, thus functioning to locate the frame positively in position. A pair of bosses 28 may be erected from the inner face of flange 24. When drilled, tapped and threaded, these bosses provide means for the reception of screws 38. bosses, for this purpose, extend through suitable openings through the door, separately made for thatpurpose and distinct from opening I4, or constructed as lateral extensions of opening I4. In this manner, the frame is retained against rotation, vwhile the outer ends of the screws, seated in the bosses, are not visible or accessible to one outside the dwelling.

The screw heads may be retained by the door; preferably, however, they serve to retain in associated relationship to opening I4 and frame I6, an annular plate 32. Face 34 of plate 32 preferably is flat, having a pair of recesses,V 36 formed therein for the reception of bosses 28 when the wicket is to be mounted on doors of thin material. Thel other face of the plate is formed by a bevelled portion 38, leading up to a slight riseV 40, which locates the substantially smooth, inner face 42 of the plate. Through the plateare provided passages 44 through which screws 38 are extended, and countersunk to receive the heads of screws 30. Then, when the wicket is completely assembled, face 42'wil1 be completely smooth except for a boss 46, projection 48 and recess 50, all to be described hereinafter.

Just off the vertical axis and on face 42 of plate 32 is formed boss 46. A closure plate V52, preferably circular in its general contour to conform with the preferred shaping of the opening and other portions of the wicket, has a bear- The screws and their associated ing portion 54 formed adjacent its edge and in a position such that, in its nal mounting, the pivot to be formed by this bearing portion will be located just o-i the vertical gravitational axis of the closure plate. in its operation, will always have a force tending to rotate it about the axis of the bearing. Through the bearing portion is formed an opening 56 which is to be seated over boss 46, and the opposed faces of the plates brought into contact. When so assembled, the top of the boss is of substantially the same height as, or slightly higher than, flat face 58 of bearing portion 54.

Boss 46 has a passage 66 for the reception of a pin 62, the head 64 of which, in the final assembly, will abut face 58. The inner end of the pin may be swaged or riveted over within the countersunk portion 66 of passage 68. By this means, the plate is mounted for free pivoting movement on the boss which provides it a bearing without subjecting it to the frictional drag of pin 62. The closure plate is of such dimensions that it will cover, in opening covering position, substantially the entire inner face 42, thus concealing, when in that position, the heads of screws 30, as seen in Figs. 2 and 7.

In other words, the plate,

Face 68 of closure plate 52, directed toward face I 42, preferably is smooth to permit free sliding movement of the closure relative to the plate. However, the central portio'n of this face is depressed, providing a surface l0, guarded from contact with face 42 by this spacing. This surface may be'ornamentedin any desired manner. A recess l2, located centrally of the depressed surface, provides means for receiving metallic r tablets T14 upon which characters 16, imprinted thereon as by embossing, may be displayed td permit inspection through opening I4 for determining the particular room, apartment or the like to which the door gives access. The metal at the edges of recess l2 may be swaged o'ver to retain the tablets in position.

Closure plate 52 may be formed with a fiange 18 of suitable thickness bounding its edge. A recess 88 is formed in the plate so that its bottom is substantially on the same level as the face of ange 18. Recesses l2 and 88, as described, open at opposite faces of the closure plate. They are dimensioned so that their walls come into close proximity, as seen in Fig. 4, and yet leave sufficient metal for the requisite strength. This is of importance since the closure plate preferably is made by die-casting.

Recess 88 is located beyond the gravitational axis in which the pivot of bearing portion 54 and pin 62 lies. It will be apparent from the following that, under all circumstances, the latching mechanism 82, housed within the recess and cooperating with projection '46, will prevent movement of plate 52 to a position in which gravity will not continue effective in its tendency to rotate the plate.

Recess 86 is formed with a shoulder 84. Upon this shoulder is intended to be seated a plate 86 to define a pocket for receiving a nger 88. 'Ihe dimensions of finger and pocket are such that the finger is permitted free sliding movement. Plate 86 is retained xedly related to the shoulder and the recess by the passage'through an opening 96 in the plate of a pin 92. The pin, preferably formed integral with plate 52 and extending upwardly withinthe recess, is headed over in the manner' of a rivet to retain these parts firmly associated. Pin 92 also passes through a slot 94 l on the vertical axis of the plate. `In this case,

the projection is provided with a cam surface 96 anda groove 98, the 'latter being cut parallel to the direction of swing, and in the plane, of the closure. The groove is made of `a width just sufficient to receive flange 18. The pro'jection might, if desired, be made large enough for a groove to receive the entire width of the closure. Preferably, for the purpose of this invention, flange 'I8 should vbe as thin as the element of strength will permit, in order that, with the assembly of the latching mechanism with the closure and the association of projection 48 with plate 32, the apparatus created will not be of undesirable bulk. A portion of flange 78 is cut away to form a straight edge and `a shoulder |02. When the plate rides into opening covering position, flange 18 will engage within groove 98 until shoulder |02 abuts vertical edge |04 of the projection.

Y At the lowermost portion of finger 88, it is provided with a rounded cam edge |06, terminating at a vertical edge |08 which leads away into an edge ||0. When the closure gravitates to cover the opening, cam edge |06 will be positioned to, and will, ride up on cam surface 96 with which it will, atthat time, be brought into association. Due to the construction of the latching mechanism, the location of c'am edge |06 for cooperation with cam surface 96 is at all times assured. The nger will be pushed into its pocketuntil edge |08 has passed vertical edge I I2 of the projection. The linger will now gravitate until its edge |I0 abuts the projection, the closure being retained against return movement by engagement of edges I 08 and H2 until the finger has been lifted to release this engagement.

For the purpose of lifting finger 88, it has secured to it, immediately adjacent edge I|0,` a shank I |4.. The shank extends upwardly through a slot I I6 in plate 86 by which the shank is guided in its movement. The end of the sloit acts as a stop for the finger in its vertical movement. At the outer end of the shank is applied a button I I8 by means of which manipulation of the latching mechanism may be effected. It is to' be noted that when an upwardly directed pressure is applied against the button to slide the finger upwardly within its recess, that same pressure, continuing its action in the same plane, will also effect rotation of the closure with relation to its pivot. In this connection, it is important that the movement of the finger is extremelylimited, that except for its slight slip, it is substantially of the same character as a xed buttonon the closure plate, and further that the movement of the finger must occur in a single plane. No awkwardness is introduced in the movement of the closure plate to open position, this being accomplished in a single, continuous, smooth movement of the finger substantially in a single direction.

Embodying certain features of the invention, the finger may, after riding `up on and clearing cam surface 96, fall into an opening or recess in the projection to lock the closure plate against movement in any direction.

Therefore, when the latching mechanism is operative and is in engagement with the projection, the plate is restrained by the engagement of latching mechanism 82 and shoulder |02 with projection 48 against pivoting movement in either direction, while the engagement of flange I8 within groove 98 prevents movement away from plate 32 of the closure lf a force be applied against it in that direction.

Immediately adjacent boss 46, recess 50 may be formed in plate 32, this recess being contoured along arcuate lines substantially concentric with the boss. A knob |20 may be projected from the face of closure plate 52, in the same radial relationship to opening 56 as is recess 50 to boss 46. When 4the closure plate is in opening covering position, the knob will be housed within the recess. However, when the closure plate has been pivoted away from opening covering position, after suitable actuation of the latching mechanism, the knob will act as a stop, coming in contact with the shoulder formed by the rise 40 on plate 32. This stopping operation, in conjunction with the cooperation of shoulder |02 and projection 48, limits rotation of the closure in such manner that, at no time, can it assume a. position in which gravity would not tend to move it to full opening covering position and to effect proper operation of the latching mechanism. 'Ihe length of recess 50 may be made such that knob |20 will cooperate therewith in stopping the plate as does shoulder |02 and projection 48, or with the elimination of the shoulder.

Preferably immediately above recess I2 is another recess |22, formed with walls |24 converging inwardly from surface 'l0 to a slit |26 of very little width, from which walls |28 then diverge outwardly for a very short distance to face |38.V The slit, by reason of converging walls |24 and diverging walls |28, permits one within the dwelling to view persons standing outside the door without rst opening closure plate 52. If desired, a small leaf |32 may be pivoted to fall freely over slit |26. A stop may be provided for the leaf, or bearing portion 54 may function as such a stop.

In this manner, an article lending itself to compactness in structure and simplicity in its operation has been produced. The closure will resisi any normal type of attack from the exterior and will not release upon such an attack unless destroyed.

Many other changes could be effected in the particular apparatus designed, and in the manner of use set forth, and in specific details thereof, without substantially departing from the invention defined in the claims, the specific description herein being merely to illustrate an operative embodiment carrying out the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed as new and useful is- 1. A wicket for a door to permit inspection of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer without the necessity of opening the door, and for association at an opening through the door for that purpose provided, which comprises a frame for the opening, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, the closure being so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate to a position where it will cover the entire opening, the closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the doorupon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame, the abutment being formed to receive and engage the closure when it reaches substantially the opening covering position, a projection from the closure, said projection, when the closure has gravitated to its opening covering position, being stopped against the abutment, and a latch carried by the plate, the4 latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding vertically over the abutment beyond the receiving and engaging portion of the abutment and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that with'which the projection is to abut.

2. A wicket for a door to permit inspection of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer Without the necessity of opening the door, and for association at an opening through the door for that purpose provided, which comprises a frame for the opening, a'closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, the closure being -so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate to a position where it covers the entire opening, the closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame, the closure having a ange and the abutment having a kerf in substantially the same plane as the flange on the closure, the kerf receiving and engaging the flange when the closure reaches substantially the opening covering position, a projection from the closure, said projection, when the closure has gravitated to its opening covering position, being stopped against the abutment, and a latch carried by the plate, the latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding vertically over the abutment outside the kerf and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that with which the projection is to abut.

3. A wicket for a door to permit inspection of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer Without the necessity of opening the door, ,and for association at an opening through the door for that purpose provided, which comprises a frame for the opening, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, the closure being so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate to a position Where it will cover the entire opening, the closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame, the closure having a flange and the abutment being formed to receive and engage the flange when the closure reaches substantially the opening covering position, a portion of the flange being cut away to form a projection, said projection, when the closure has gravitated to its opening covering position, being stopped against the abutment, and a latch carried at the lowermost portion along the vertical diameter of the plate when in lowermost position, the latch being restricted to movement Within a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the closure, the latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding over the abutment and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that with which the projection is to abut.

4. A wicket for a door to permit inspection through an opening 'through the door of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer without the necessity of opening the door, which comprises a frame for mounting at an opening through a door, a closure for the Vopening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, the closure being so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate toa position where it will cover the entire opening, the closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame, a projection fro-m the closure, said projection, when the closure has gravitated to its open-T ing covering position, being stopped against the abutment, and a latch mounted for sliding movement only on the plate, the latch, when the closure is movedv to opening covering position, riding vertically over the abutment and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that with which the projection is to abut.

5. A wicket for a door to permit inspection through an openingv through the `door of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to vthe observer without the necessity 'of opening the door, which comprises a frame for mounting at an opening through a door, a closure for the opening' pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, the closure being so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate -to va position Where it will cover the entire opening, the closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame, a projection from the closure, said projection, when the closure has gravitated to its opening covering position, being stopped against the abutment, a downwardly opening pocket in the plate, and a latch retained Within and slidable into and out of the pocket, the latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding over the abutment and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the'side removed from that with which the projection is to abut.

6. A wicket for a door to permit inspection through an opening through the door oi' conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer without the necessity of opening the door, which comprises a frame for mounting at an opening through a. door, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, the closure being so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate to a position where it will cover .the entire opening, the closure 4moving ina plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame, a projection from the closure, said projection, when the clcnure has' gravitated to its opening covering position, being stopped against the abutment, a shouldered recess in theplate, a plate covering the recess and resting upon the shoulder, a latch having only sliding movement f Within the recess and below the cover plate, and a member securing the cover plate in position over the recess and limiting downward movement of the latch, the latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding over the abutment and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that against which the projection is to abut.

7. A wicket for a door to permit inspection of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer without the necessity of opening the door, and for association at an opening through the door for that purpose provided, which comprises a frame for the opening, a closure for vthe opening pivoi'ed upon the frame at the inner face thereof, the closure being so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate to a position where it will cover the entire opening, the closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to bemounted, an abutment on the frame. the closure having a flange and the abutment having a kerf in substantially the same plane as the flange on the closure, the kerf receiving and engaging the flange when the closure reaches substantially' the 75 'opening covering position, a portion of the flange being cut away to form a projection, said projection, when the closure has gravitated to its opening covering position,v beingV stopped against the abutment, a shouldered recess in the plate, a plate covering the recess and resting upon the shoulder, a latch sliding within the recess and below the cover plate, means securing the cover plate in position over the recess and limiting downward movement of the latch, the latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding over the abutment beyond the kerf and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that against which the projection is to abut, a slot in Ythe cover plate, and a button secured to the latch and extending upwardly therefrom through the slot.

8. A wicket for a door to permit inspection through an opening through the door of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer without the necessity of opening the door, which comprises a frame secured at an opening through the door, the frame including an embossed surface, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof and mounted to slide over lthe embossed surface,

a knob formed on the closure and extending toward the frame immediately adjacent the point of pivoting of the closure, a slot in the embossed surface for receiving the knob at one limit of movement of the closure, `the knob being positioned to engage against the edge of the embossed surface at the other limit of movement of the closure, the closure being so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate to a position where it will cover the entire opening, the closure mov- .ing in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame, a projection from `the closure, said projection, when the closure has gravitated to its opening covering position, being stopped against theabutment, and a latch carried by the plate, the latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding over the abutment and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that with which the projection is to abut and then being wholly outside the abutment.

9. A wicket for a door to permit inspection through an opening through a door of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer without the necessity of opening the door, which comprises a` frame for the opening, the frame including an Aembossed surface, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof and mounted to slide over the embossed surface, a knob formed on the closure and extending toward the frame immediately adjacent the point of pivoting of the closure, a slot in the .embossed surface for receiving the knob when the closure moves to opening covering position, the knob beingpositioned to engage against the edge of the embossed surface to limit uncovering movement of the closure, the

pivot for the closure being just off the vertical line through the center of gravity of the closure so that the closure tends normally to gravitate to a position where it will cover the entire open ing, the closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame, a projection from the closure, said projectiomwhen the closure has gravitated to its opening covering position, being stopped against the abutment, 'and `a latch carried by the plate, the latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding over the abutment and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that with which the projection is to abut and then being wholly outside the abutment.

10. A wicket for a doorto permit inspection through an opening through a door of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer without the necessity of opening the door, which comprises a frame for the opening, the frame including an embossed surface, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof and mounted to slide over the embossed surface, a knob formed on the closure and extending toward the frame immediately adjacent the point of pivoting of the closure, a slot in the embossed surface for receiving the knob when the closure moves to opening covering position, the knob being positioned to engage against the edge of the embossed surface to limit uncovering movement of the closure, -the pivot for the closure being just off the vertical line through the center gravity of the closure so that the closure tends normally to g-ravitate to a position where it will cover the entire opening, the

closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame having a surface rising vertically, a projection from the closure, said projection, when the closure has gravitated to its opening covering position, being stopped against the abutment, and a latch carried by the plate, the latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding over the vertically rising surface, and then assuming a position engaging against the abutment on the side removed from that with which the projection is to abut and then being wholly outside the abutment.

11. A wicket for adoor to permit inspection through an opening through a door of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer Without the necessity of opening the door, which comprises a frame for the opening, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, the outer face of the closure being visible through the opening and the frame at the outer face of the door, the closure being so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate to a position where it will cover the entire opening, a pair of recesses in the faces of the closure, the respective recesses opening at the respective opposed faces of the closure and one of them being visible through the opening in the door and the frame, indicia carrying members seated in the last mentioned recess, the closure moving in a. plane substantially parallel to the door upon which` it is to be mounted, anV

abutment on the frame, a projection Vfrom the closure, said projection, when the closure has gravitated 'to its opening covering position, being stopped against the abutment, and a latch having only sliding motion within the other recess, the latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding over the abutm-ent and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that with which the projection is to abut.

12. A wicket for a door to permit inspection through an opening through the door of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer without the necessity of opening the door, which comprises a frame secured at an opening through the door, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the framerat the inner face thereof, the outer face of the closure being visible through the opening and the frame at the outer face of the door, the closure being so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate to a position where it covers the entire opening-the closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame, a projection from the closure, said projection, when the closure has gravitated to its opening covering position, being stopped against the abutment, ay pair of recesses in theV faces of the closure, one recess opening at one face and the other recess opening at the otherface of the closure and one of them being visible through the opening in the .door and the frame, indicia vcarrying members seated in the last mentioned recess, the other recess being shouldered, a plate covering'the other recess andresting upon the shoulder, alatch having sliding movement within the other recess and below the cover plate, means securing the cover plate in position over the recessY and limiting downward movement of the latch, the latch, when the closure is moved to opening covering position, riding over the abutment and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that with which the projection is to abut, a slot in the cover plate, and a button secured to the latch and extending upwardly therefrom through the slot.

13. A wicket fora door to permit inspection through an opening through the door of conditions on the side-of the door obversely related t0 the observer without the necessity of opening the door, which comprises a frame secured at an opening through the door, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, the closure being so pivoted that it tends normally to gravitate to a position where it will cover the entire opening, the closure moving in a plane substantially parallely to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame, a projection from the closure, said projection, when the closure has gravitated to its opening covering position, being stopped against the abutment, a shouldered recess in the plate, a plate covering the recess and resting upon the shoulder to form a slideway. a latch sliding Within the slideway, means securing the cover plate in position over the recess and limiting downward movement of the latch, the latch, when the clo- Vsure is moved to opening covering position, riding over the -abutment and assuming a position to engage against the abutment on the side removed from that with which the projection is to abut, and a button'secured to the latch and eX- tending upwardly therefrom through the cover plate., the button being disposed at the lowest point of the closure when the closure is positioned in full opening covering position.

14. A wicket for a door to permit inspection through an opening through the door of condi- Vtions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer Without the necessity of opening lthe door, which comprises a frame secured at an opening through the door, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, a pivot for the closure so that the closure tends normally to gravitate to a position where it will cover the entire opening, the closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, a peep-hole through the closure, a leaf pivoted upon the closure and tending gravitationally to assume a position covering the peep-hole, the leaf being stopped by the closure pivot in its movement to peep-hole uncovering position, and means on the closure and the frame for latching the closure against any movement when the closure has gravitated to opening covering position.

15. In combination With a door, of means to permit guarded inspection through an opening through the door of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer without opening the door, which comprises a frame for the opening, means for securing the frame to the door, a closure for the opening pivoted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, stops for limiting pivoting movement of the closure with relation to the opening, said stops operating to dispose the closure at all times in gravitationally unbalanced condition, and means associated with one of the stops for latching the closure automatically in opening covering position, the closure, in opening covering position, covering and concealing the frame securing means.

16. A wicket for a door to permit inspection of conditions on the side of the door obversely related to the observer without the necessity of opening the door, and for association at an opening through the door for that purpose provided, which comprises a frame for the opening, aclosure for the opening mounted upon the frame at the inner face thereof, a pivot for the closure, the closure being so mounted on the pivot that it tends normally to gravitate to a position where it will cover the entire opening, the closure moving in a plane substantially parallel to the door upon which it is to be mounted, an abutment on the frame at the lowermost portion thereof and having a slot in the plane of movement of the closure to receive and engage the closure when it reaches substantially opening-covering position; the pivot and the abutment slot cooperating, when the closure is in substantially opening-covering position, to prevent movement of the closure other than in said plane; and a latch carried at they lowermost portion of the plate and providing the sole means for actuating the plate to open position, the latch engaging the frame wholly externally of said slot to restrain the closure against any movement, the latch having only sliding movement.

' `HARRY SKLAR. 

